Senate 2026
a white woman with blond hair wears a coral coat
Courtesy Jeannie Evans for Senate

GOP Senate candidate Jeannie Evans talks Christian values, antitrust laws, and AI

Jeannie Evans is an antitrust enforcement lawyer and one of the Republicans running in next month’s U.S. Senate primary in Illinois. She talks about her Christian upbringing, advocating conservative viewpoints during her time at Harvard Law School, and AI and technology. 

The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio talk show, connecting Illinois and bringing you the news, culture, and stories that matter to the 21st state. Have thoughts on the show or one of our episodes, or want to share an idea for something we should talk about? Send us an email: talk@21stshow.org. If you'd like to have your say as we're planning conversations, join our texting group! Just send the word "TALK" to (217) 803-0730. Subscribe to our podcast and hear our latest conversations.  

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PT6pb0
Find past segments, links to our social media and more at our website: 21stshow.org.

a white man in glasses is wearing a white button-down shirt, open at the collar, and a pinstripe suitcoat
Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times

Republican U.S. Senate Candidate R. Cary Capparelli on Trump, ICE, and persistence in Illinois politics

Another conversation with a candidate for the U.S. Senate: R. Cary Capparelli is seeking the Republican nomination. He works in marketing, teaches geography, and is the son of a longtime Illinois Democratic state legislator.

He's previously run (unsuccessfully) for offices ranging from the Illinois House to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District — as both a Democrat and a Republican. We'll talk with him about domestic policy, foreign affairs, and what it's like running as a legacy in Illinois politics.

Christine Hatfield/Illinois Public Media

GOP U.S. Senate candidate Casey Chlebek, Polish immigrant, talks immigration reform, taxes, ‘cultural Marxism’

Casey Chlebek is one of the half dozen Republicans running in the primary for the U.S. Senate race in Illinois. Born and raised in Poland before immigrating to Chicago, Chlebek shares his own story of immigration while pitching ideas for immigration reform as well as his thoughts on cultural Marxism.

The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio talk show, connecting Illinois and bringing you the news, culture, and stories that matter to the 21st state. Have thoughts on the show or one of our episodes, or want to share an idea for something we should talk about? Send us an email: talk@21stshow.org. If you'd like to have your say as we're planning conversations, join our texting group! Just send the word "TALK" to (217) 803-0730. Subscribe to our podcast and hear our latest conversations.   

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PT6pb0 
Find past segments, links to our social media and more at our website: 21stshow.org.

Christine Hatfield/Illinois Public Media

Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Bryan Maxwell talks representing downstate Illinois, advocating socialist policies on campaign trail

Bryan Maxwell is one of the 10 people hoping to represent the Democratic Party in this fall’s election for outgoing Senator Dick Durbin's seat. Known for supporting anti-war causes, he shares his views on military spending, economic sanctions in other countries, and being a socialist. 

The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio talk show, connecting Illinois and bringing you the news, culture, and stories that matter to the 21st state. Have thoughts on the show or one of our episodes, or want to share an idea for something we should talk about? Send us an email: talk@21stshow.org. If you'd like to have your say as we're planning conversations, join our texting group! Just send the word "TALK" to (217) 803-0730. Subscribe to our podcast and hear our latest conversations. 
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PT6pb0... 
Find past segments, links to our social media and more at our website: 21stshow.org.

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